MEDINA, Misamis Oriental — A Medina town councilor is studying a proposed ordinance to curb electrical-wire theft, protect minors from dangerous activities and hold scrap-metal buyers accountable for purchasing stolen materials.
Councilor Esmael Naguib Jr., chairman of the Committee on Public Safety, said he was considering the measure following reports of electrical-wire theft in the town, with some incidents allegedly involving minors.
Stolen wires are often stripped for their copper, which can be sold to junk shops and other scrap-metal buyers.
Naguib said the proposed ordinance would also seek to protect minors from electrocution and other injuries, particularly when cutting wires that may still carry electricity.
The measure may include penalties for junk shops and other scrap-metal buyers found purchasing stolen electrical wires. It may also require buyers to verify the legal source of scrap materials.
Councilor Arthur Cahoy, a member of the Committee on Public Safety, supported further study of the proposal, citing reports that minors are often involved in the thefts.
Cahoy also cited Article 2180 of the Civil Code and Republic Act No. 9344, as amended by RA 10630, on the possible civil liability of parents for damages caused by their minor children, subject to applicable legal conditions and defenses.
Medina police chief Capt. Teddy Macarayo confirmed that several electrical-wire theft incidents had been reported in the town.
However, Macarayo clarified that not all those allegedly involved were minors.
He said authorities had identified one suspect and brought the case before the court. But the suspect's age had yet to be established because no birth certificate was presented to verify whether the accused was a minor.
Macarayo said the determination of the suspect's age was left to the court.
